30-06 to 25-06 - 24hourcampfire

I've zero experience at the mechanics of the following and just starting to pull things together. Is converting a 700 bdl in 30-06 to 25-06 as simple as swapping the barrels or are there other modifications to the action that are required? A family friend gave me the 30-06 SUCKS with a big split in the stock and another friend says I can have a stock 25-06 barrel he has laying around that was taken off a new one several years ago. I think I've also got a line on a synthentic another friend has as a takeoff. I don't think I can convince the spouse the McMill swirly things or the spiders are actually valuable art even though I think they are very appealing. I would expect this to be a dedicated whitetail rig for me or the wife. I keep hoping one of my friends will show up next with an extra VXIII they need to get rid of.

I would say, yes it is simple in that the barrel if it is already threaded for that action it will fit, but I would say that the headspace will still have to be checked. Partly due to the recoil lug may be a little thicker or thinner than the one that was matched up to the 25-06 barrel. But as the 25-06 is based on the 30-06 necked down to 25 cal, you will find it to be a fairly easy project.

Have the barrel headspaced to your action and that is it..............

NuAg
 I've got a wood BDL stock that came from a LA mag... lots of use, but servicable and sound. Will cost you shipping.
 art

sitka-
 should nuag not need the stock, i certainly have a use for it, if you wouldn't mind extending the offer in this direction...

Thanks for the offer Sitka but I've decided to test the waters on the darkside and "try" the synthetic route here. I hope I don't regret passing up your generous offer. I usually refurbish the wood and blue on a shotgun or two each winter and have never dabbled much on the rifle side. This will be the first synthetic stocked long gun I've ever owned......and I'm still not sure if that is a good or bad thing?? (grin)
 
 I'd heard two vastly different things about the conversion from two different sources. I don't trust either of the sources very much so thought I would get some input from people with vast amounts of experience. My plan is to put mix/match the factory parts from the 3 guns together and see what it does. Since this just sort of fell in my lap, I'm thinking about the PacNor and McMillan options down the road after squirrling away a little cash. Maybe even a slightly more exotic quarter bore chambering.

big time
 Sounds like you have a stock.
 Send a PM or e-mail with your mailing addy and i will get it out in about a week. You can send me the postage when you see what it cost.
 art

pm en-route! very much appreciate the offer!

I don't understand why you want to convert the 30-06 to a 25-05. The 30-06 should be a better gun for big game than the 25-06. Except maybe for shooting way out there. That makes your project much simpler. All you have to do is swap stocks.

I've already got a couple of 30-06's. I suppose there are many who might argue you can't have enough 30-06's. However, I keep thinking about that HUGE hole between my 243 and 270. [Linked Image]

I've wanted to tinker with a rifle project for some time and I've also wanted a 25-06 and this just fell in my lap.

You are going to fall in love with the 25-06. Listen to Big Stick, make sure the head space is right and you will have no problems with your "parts gun".